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Introduction to Astronomy Investigation Paper Page 1

PHSC 111 INTRODUCTION TO ASTRONOMY INVESTIGATION PAPER

John DiElsi

As indicated on your course outline, you will submit an investigation paper that will be worth

20% of your final grade. You have been in the course for a brief time and I’m sure you have

found some topics that you found interesting. This paper should allow you to explore a topic of

your choice and write a brief paper about that topic. Some sample topics are given at the end of

this document. You can choose topics from the history of astronomy to recent discoveries. The

compilation of astronomy websites that is included in Course Documents in Course Material

may be of assistance. The Mercy College Libraries

(https://www.mercy.edu/academics/libraries/)

also can assist you in finding a topic.

Requirements:

• Write a minimum 600-word report on your research. Make sure you include a bibliography

of the sources you used to write the paper. Appropriate diagrams, charts or photos may be

included, but obviously don't count as part of the 600-word minimum.

• The text may NOT be used as a reference. Your paper should provide information beyond

that provided in the text.

• The topic must be submitted and approved by me before you do extensive research and start

writing the paper. You should do some preliminary research when selecting the topic to

make sure there are resources available for your investigation. I may make some suggestions

on your proposed topic before accepting it. You will have a chance to accept my suggestions

or select another topic. The deadline for the topic approval is Saturday, November 3.

• No two students can use the same topic so get your requests in early.

• The paper and bibliography must be submitted to SafeAssignment -- a utility that checks for

plagiarism – by Saturday, December 15. Instructions for submission through

SafeAssignment will be available later in the term.

• Plagiarism will not be tolerated and may result in a failing grade for all involved.

• Points will be deducted for not following these guidelines.

The Mercy College Learning Center can assist you in developing and writing this paper.

For your research, use several sources – books, trade magazines, print journals, online journals,

online databases (the Library has several), websites, etc. Make sure you cite any and all sources

used in the writing of the paper.

Introduction to Astronomy Investigation Paper Page 2

Style Guide for Written Submissions • Prepare a single, consistent, integrated, professional looking document.

• Use Times New Roman font, 12 point.

• Use double spacing with no larger than one-inch margins.

• Use page numbers.

• Prepare a cover (title) page.

• Use a cover sheet with: your name; the class number and section; the instructor's name;

the date.

• Make the report readable and pleasant looking. Leave plenty of white space and make

good use of paragraphs and indented sections.

• Use bold type and underlining for emphasis, but don't overdo it.

• Do not overload the text with details. Present what is necessary for clarity in the body of

the report and place supporting material in appendices.

• Appropriate diagrams, charts and images may be used.

• In sentences use numerals for values of 11 and over and write them out for values of ten

and under. Exceptions: don't start a sentence with a numeral; use numbers for page,

figure, and table references.

• Avoid run-on sentences, wordiness, and incomplete sentences.

• Be consistent in your use of tense.

• Make sure subjects and verbs agree.

• Use proper punctuation.

• SPELLING AND GRAMMAR COUNT. You may use a spell-checker, but don't rely on

it. Grammar-checkers are not reliable - they often give erroneous advice. So,

• PROOFREAD

Again, the Learning Center located as each campus can assist you with making sure your

paper is well-written. Their services are available online also.

Introduction to Astronomy Investigation Paper Page 3

Choosing aTopic Some of these topics are covered in the text. Remember, your paper must focus on material

not covered in the text. You should do some basic research before selecting a topic. Some

topics can be more technical that others. Again, you can choose your own topic -- pick

something that interests you -- or choose one of the topics below. No two students can select

the same topic -- first come, first served.

• Hubble Space Telescope (HST) -- launching and problems that had to be corrected

• comet-planet collisions

• specific sky objects such as a particular planet, nebulas, etc.

• future death of the Sun

• planetary nebulae (nebulas)

• supernovas

• neutron stars

• pulsars

• deaths of stars leading to births of other stars

• biographies of astronomers (Galileo, Copernicus, Kepler, Hubble, Leavitt, etc.)

• the technology behind HST photos

• collisions of galaxies

• big bang vs. steady state theories of the creation of the universe

• mission and results of the Kepler telescope

• future mission of the proposed Webb telescope

• search for extrasolar planets (exoplanets)

• Mars Curiosity probe or other solar system probes (specify)

• comparison of craters on Moon and Earth

• safe ways to observe the Sun

• using the stars for navigation

Another source of possible topics are astronomy websites. Many are listed in the Astronomy

Website files in the Course Document area under Course Material. The sites can be found in

both Excel and pdf formats.

Feel free to ask questions using e-mail in Blackboard if you find your topic is too broad. I will

try to help you focus on a particular aspect of your topic that can provide useful information in a

narrower scope.